The Farr Side: Duets II’ shows timelessness of Bennett

When the Billboard Hot 200 album chart is released this week, it very well might show the legendary Tony Bennett sitting at No. 1.

If his latest, “Duets II” is on top, it will be the first time in his 60-plus years in show business that he scored a No. 1 album.

At age 85, that’s impressive, but I also find it hard to believe Bennett didn’t have a No. 1 album at some point.

Bennett’s highest charting album was 2006’s “Duets: An American Classic,” which broke the mold for “duets” albums. It was a stellar piece of work and featured Bennett pairing with Tim McGraw, Billy Joel, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Bono and Sting.

“Duets II” follows that same blueprint, but builds musical match-ups with some unlikely characters. Who could imagine Bennett singing with the likes of Lady Gaga or the late Amy Winehouse? Bennett, that’s who. Other artists, such as John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Andrea Bocelli, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Josh Groban, Sheryl Crow, Queen Latifa, Carrie Underwood and Jackie Evancho take turns opposite the man of the hour, too.

That’s one reason I believe he has had such a long-lasting career. Whether or not you like his style of music, he has always been an outside-the-box kind of guy. Remember his “MTV Unplugged” set? It didn’t reach No. 1, but it grabbed a few Grammys.

Who would have thought of the crooner winning over an MTV audience?

Certainly not me. But it did open my ears to his music.

Bennett’s success with “Duets II” has afforded him another milestone. The lead-off single, “Body And Soul,” entered the Hot 100 at No. 87, making Bennett the oldest living artist in history to crack the chart.

“Body And Soul” features Bennett with Winehouse. Some may argue Winehouse’s recent passing adds to the song’s appeal, but in all honesty, the song would have had just as much impact if she were alive. It’s that good. Bennett and Winehouse are like a couple of old souls who’ve sung together for years. A Grammy contender, for sure.

Tongue in cheek: Gaga and Bennett tackle “The Lady Is A Tramp.” Again, it’s great. You forget all the hype surrounding Gaga and focus on what a talented singer she truly is.

Mayer and Bennett do great justice to “One For My Baby (And One For The Road),” while Paisley surprises me with a strong rendition of “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

Another highlight includes Bennett with Jackie Evancho on “When You Wish Upon A Star.” There’s almost a 75-year age difference, yet the magic created is something most artists can only wish for.

David T. Farr is a Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@
hotmail.com. You can also find The Farr Side on Facebook.